Italian Sausage, Vegetable, and Orzo Soup

Italian Sausage, Vegetable, and Orzo Soup

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

• 1 lb. sweet Italian pork sausage (or spicy Italian)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes (I used fire-roasted)
• 32 oz. low-sodium beef broth
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can cannellini (Great Northern) beans
• 1/2 cup whole wheat orzo pasta
• 2 small (or 1 large) zucchini, halved and sliced
• 4 cups packed fresh baby spinach, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese, freshly grated for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Brown sausage and onion in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and carrots and continue cooking for several more minutes. Stir in tomatoes and beef broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes.
2. Add the beans, pasta, zucchini, and basil. Cover and simmer another 15 minutes, until the pasta is soft and the zucchini is tender.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the spinach. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional).

Source: ahintofhoney